Is truth relative? If it is, is cultural difference part of the reasons why truth is relative?

Truth. Truth. Truth. A five-letter word yet complex to define and hard to find. There are people who took years
in seeking for truth because truth is actually beyond what we think it is. We keep on seeking for it because it is
truth who can set as free however, how can we find truth? What is truth really means? Is there an absolute truth?
What if truth differs from one culture to another?
According to John 14:16, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No comes to the Father
except through me”.
According to Aristotle, “To say of what is that it is, or of what is not that it is not, is true.”
According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, “the body of real things, events, and facts”.
There are many definitions of what truth is from different sources. Nevertheless, those definitions of truth might
not be accepted by some people let’s say for example the Muslims disagree on what the Bible is saying. My
point here is, every individual has different culture which includes religion. We can’t force the Muslims to
believe on what’s stated on the Bible because they have their Quran and they believe in it which means it is
their truth. As I mentioned above, there are many definitions of truth from different sources in which, for me,
are based from different cultures. These culture differences, which is evident up until now whether in our
workplace or school, make us believe that there’s no absolute truth, relativism, because what is true and right or
wrong to us might be the otherwise to others, and different people have different perspectives about moral and
immoral. Another example, Chinese women eat fetus because they believe it makes them younger but in the
Philippines it is considered morally wrong. Chinese women eating fetus may be morally wrong for us but it is
their truth.
Therefore, truth is relative because what’s true to you doesn’t mean it’s true to other people. Culture difference
can be a reason and an added evidence that truth is relative. Culture greatly influenced the way we think or act
and could be the source of our beliefs. With this, culture differences affect the way we perceive not only what is
right and wrong but also the truth.

CAUSE OF THE SPECIFIC CULTURAL HOW DO THE INFLUENCES AFFECT MY

INFLUENCE INFLUENCE BEHAVIOR? (short explanation)
 FAMILY 1. Respect and be Back in the good old days, my parents always told me
gentle with elders to respect my grandparents and the other elders by
doing Mano and speak gently with talking to them. As
I grow old, I believe that this is one of the ways to
show respect.
2. Share what you have “God gave us these blessings to help others”. This is
what my parents keep on telling me and up until now
I’m still doing this believing that it’s the right thing to
 do.
 CHURCH 1. Obeying the Ten The Ten Commandments are the Laws that I greatly
Commandments obey because it was given by God. By following these
Laws, it improves me as human being and I live with
friendship with God and in harmony with wider
creations.
2. Taking seriously the Enacting the golden rules gives me the sense of care
Golden Rule which is towards other people and be conscience of my
the “ Do to others what actions.
you would like others
do unto you”
 SCHOOL 1. Focusing on one’s Gives an opportunity to demonstrate that I am
(teacher) paper during exams; trustworthy. In addition, it disciplined me not only as a
don’t cheat student but also as an individual.
2. Be polite at all timesSince day one of being a student, being polite is one
of the things I learned in school. The accord of polite
behaviour towards my schoolmates and teacher
enables me to have etiquette and improve comradery.
 PEER 1. The “One for All and My friends and I possess this idea most especially
All for One” idea someone needs help or has a problem. This influence
affect my behaviour in a way that it taught me the
sense of unity, trust and enhance collaborative
behaviour.
2. You Only Live Once YOLO has been very famous to all of my friends. With
(YOLO) this, we tend to seek for new experiences and
treasure what life could give.
 MASS 1. Create General Back then, it was only our parents who were our
MEDIA( tel Awareness storytellers but when media came everything
evision, changed. When I learned how to use websites and
radio, social medias I can easily access new knowledge and
newspaper information that helps me in my everyday life.
,
magazines,
the internet
2. Communication In the past, I heard my parents’ rants regarding how
Struggles No More hard it is to communicate. Today, everything is
convenient including communication. Sharing is also
easy like sharing my critics towards an issue and
Media helps me to have quality time talking with my
relatives abroad, virtually.

LESSON 4: ACTIVITY 2
Identify if there is a difference and a similarity between Greeks and the Callatians in relation to their cultural
practice and explain briefly in not more than 3 sentences the factors causing the difference.

[Link]

Based on the story of King Darius of Persia, it is evident that the Greeks and Callatians differ when it comes to
cultural practices and a proof for that is in the story wherein it is described that the Callatians, a tribe of Indians,
ate the bodies of their deceased father in respect and desire for their father’s spirit to live in them while the
Greeks cremated the bodies of their deceased fathers. However, the similarity of the two is they give importance
to the dead. The differences between the Greeks and the Callatians shouts that cultural relativism reckon on the
principle that moral codes vary from culture to culture that makes the Greeks and Callatians to have
independent standard of right and wrong, and the example I set above, the funerary customs of Greeks and
Callatians, is an example of differing social standards and both of them have are right in their own respect
because they have different culture.

LESSON 4: QUIZ
Read carefully and determine the best response of the given situation
Justify your answers with reference to the previous lessons (Lesson 1, 2 and 3)

Ranier is a well-known student of his class. He is known to be very apt and updated with social and political
issues. He usually shares his thoughts openly in social media. Boosted with the positive commendation with
peers both in person and in social media, Rainer continues 1to behave in this way until he became extremely
critical of the things around him. Moreover, some of his peers, complained about this attitude for he does most
of his criticisms with flimsy grounds and incomplete knowledge. However Rainer thinks his behaviour is
justifiable because he believes he has reasons and is free to do so.
1. A. Who is/are the probable prime influence/s of Ranier’s character? Discuss why you consider them so)
Based on the story above, it is apparent that media and peers influenced Ranier’s character. The peers
influenced Ranier’s character because of their positive commendations about Ranier’s criticisms in social media
which boosted the confidence and desire of Ranier to share more of his thoughts without minding it is lack of
knowledge. Ranier thought that since he got positive commendations from peers it is what they wanted him to
do. Another one is media or specifically the social media in which it is a strong determining factor in forming
attitude and opinion, and in suggesting desirable lifestyle. It is in social media where Ranier can share his
thoughts about social and political issues. Perhaps, he also saw criticisms in social media with flimsy grounds
and he perceive that it’s okay so he decided to share his own even though it has no substance at all because in
social media you are free to share anything. It is also in media where Ranier get the information about social
and political issues.
2. Is Ranier’s character indeed justifiable? Explain (Observing the guide lessons from the instruction)
Based on the reactions of some of the peers, I don’t think Ranier’s character is justifiable. The character
of Ranier does not coincide with moral standards. May be Ranier just wanted to share his thoughts in social
media but he must see to it that what he shared in social media is full of knowledge and substance because
people might see it as fake news and people might follow it which is not good. Sharing criticisms about social
and political issue in a flimsy ground won’t benefit other people. Another reason why I found Ranie’s character
unjustifiable is because of moral dilemma. His dilemma is in individual level wherein Ranier is a victim of what
is vogue. His ethical standards are based on his personal interest which resulted from what’s on trend.
Moreover, he talks about being free and he is right about that. He has a freedom to share his thoughts despite of
its content however that’s not what a true freedom is. In the concept of St. Augustine’s freedom, attaining
genuine freedom is not through doing what we want but the capacity to do what is good and just like what I’ve
said earlier sharing criticisms without substance won’t benefit other people. He can use his freedom to share his
thoughts or criticisms as long as it has the right content and will also bring knowledge to other people.
LESSON 4: ASSIGNMENT BIN
1. Assess at least 2 two negative and 2 affirmative characters that you have and trace who are the person/s
behind these influence/s
(-) Being Prideful – from sister who ignore people’s attempt to communicate with her
(-) Being blunt – from sister who always speak on whatever is in her head
(+) Being Compassionate – from father who helps other people especially the street children
(+) Being Positive – from sister who always being on the bright side despite of the difficulties she’s facing

2. Consider your answer in #1, why have you chosen to attribute such character/influence to that person instead
of other people who might have shown such behaviour to you
In my two negative character, the persons who influenced me are my sisters. Actually, I have four older
sisters. For being prideful, I really get this attitude from my third sister because she sometimes dodge everyone
who tried to communicate with her because she thinks that everyone will eventually leave so it’s better to be
alone and she’s not fond of saying sorry most especially if it hits her ego. I got my character of being blunt from
my fourth sister. This sister of mine is not afraid to say what’s on her mind because according to her it’s better
to say the real score than saying flowery words that are not true. My father always prepare something for street
children during holidays such as Christmas Day and New Year such as foods and toys and I get my character of
being compassionate from him. My 4th sister undergone several trials in life but she’s always smiling and keep
looking on the Brightside and it is from her where I get my character of being positive. I chose these people to
attribute my characters even though there some people who also show me such behaviour for the reason that it
is my sisters and my father who I’m always with. I’ve spent so much time with my family than other people so
if someone will try to influence me, it is my family who is in the first line.

LESSON 5: FORUM
Think about 3 Filipino traits that you think are prevalently practiced by the Filipinos. How do you feel about the
three traits? Are you proud of them? Why?

Philippines has been one of the most visited country in the world. The Philippines attract tourists year after year
because of its abundance of natural wonders. The beaches, caves, falls, volcanoes, and mountains are very
mystique that captures every tourists’ attention. The foreign visitors also found love in every food cuisines.
Moreover, the foreigners found home in the Philippines because of the people, the Filipino traits. It is the traits
of the Filipinos that makes the Philippines remarkable among all countries in the world.

The Filipinos are known for being hospitable, for having strong family ties and being helpful or generous.
Being hospitable is the most famous trait of the Filipinos. Filipinos being hospitable is not only applicable for
foreign visitors but also to their fellow citizens. For an example, Filipinos let their visitors, may it be foreign or
their fellow citizens, sit down and prepare foods and drinks for them, and they also greet them with a very warm
welcome and embrace. Another Filipino trait is having strong family ties. Unlike other countries such as Japan,
family will always be the top priority of every Filipinos. The Filipinos value their families so much that they
tend to stick with one another. It is only in the Philippines where everyone can see families that bond together
like no other. For an example, Filipino families always spare quality time together most especially after work or
class and day- offs by watching movies and eating together. Filipinos are also helpful and generous.
Bayanihan is an example of a Filipino being helpful in which the town people or neighbourhood lend a hand to
a family who will move to another place. This trait is also evident when a person has nothing or has a problem
the other will help or console him/her. These traits of the Filipinos makes the Philippines a wonderful place to
live.

Recent events in the Philippines tainted the name of every Filipinos but these will never be enough to be a
reason to turn our back to our own country. Philippines is not perfect and that’s because Filipinos are flawed,
nonetheless we Filipinos have traits or characteristics that they can be proud of. As a Filipino, myself, I am glad
that I have these three traits in me. These three traits made the Filipinos, who made me, and that made us
remarkable and renowned all over the world. With this, I am very proud of having these traits and I am very
proud to be called as a Filipino. In addition, these traits symbolizes that there’s always goodness within us that
gives reason to every Filipinos not to give up and to have hope in our home, the Philippines.

LESSON 5: ACTIVITY 1
Is it okay to do this? Why or why not?
“ATIN ANG PINAS! US- CHINA LAYAS”
We are colonized by the Americans and Chinese a very long time ago and there’s already fear in every
Filipinos that they might do it again. The anxiety brought by history might be the reason why some Filipinos
want to discard Americans and Chinese and this reason valid. Living without freedom is like not living at all
that is why I understand the sentiments of other Filipinos. However, for me, discarding China and US is not
okay because we, Filipinos, are known for being hospitable and we need to warmly welcome the people in other
countries including the Americans and Chinese. Another reason why we can’t discard US and China it is
because these two countries is very helpful for the growth of our economy. They have inventions, machineries,
and weapons that could greatly help us in our everyday living and to protect our country. Chinese and
Americans also increase the tourism in our country. When it comes in developing our economy, we need all the
help that we could get most especially to the influencing countries such as the US and China.
Filipinos own the Philippines but Philippines won’t grow without the help of other countries. I understand
the person who wrote this but we must look at the bigger picture and the possibilities if we won’t welcome the
Americans and Chinese anymore. We can protect our freedom and we can protect our country without being
selfish. We can let the Americans and Chinese to stay in the Philippines as long as they will abide the laws.
Filipinos are hospitable, respectful, helpful or generous, optimistic, etc. and we must exemplify these traits for
the benefits of others and our nation. With this, we continue to possess the best and the positive in us. We,
Filipinos, must live out the legendary Filipino qualities the best we can because this is a better way to brag
about our country, the Philippines.
LESSON 6: ACTIVITY 1
 From the notes given on Individual Acts makes Character, elaborate your understanding on how does a
virtuous act differ from vice
 B) Observe and discuss what conditions are involved, ex., will, choice, freedom, etc. conscience,
happiness, courage

People change as new experiences bring forth new information and new insights. In other terms, new ideas
replace old beliefs. Acquired abilities pave a way to new choices that change one’s way of facing life’s
challenges. New patterns of thought and feelings pave a way to new patterns of behaviour. Nevertheless, the
process of change is gradual. At any given time, some pattern of thoughts and actions are dominant and
persistent that they characterize a person.

Based on the notes given on Individual Acts makes Character, individual’s actions and choices has a great
impact or made one’s character. Actions and choices has two kinds of habits which refers to a regular pattern of
acts and these two habits are virtues and vices. On my own perspective, virtues are good habits and an inner
readiness to accomplish moral goods. Virtue, the good character trait, form an integral part of a person’s way of
thinking and acting. In order to be of good character, one must be able to know the good, act in morally good
ways, and be disposed and inclined towards the good through the development of virtues. Moral virtues
includes courage, temperance, self- discipline, moderation, modesty, humility, generosity, friendliness,
truthfulness, honesty and justice. Vices, on the other hand, are bad habits and an inner readiness to accomplish
moral evil. Vices dishonour an individual which is a total opposite of virtue. Moral vices includes cowardice,
self- indulgence, recklessness, wastefulness, greed, vanity, untruthfulness, dishonesty and injustice. Let’s take a
look on the examples on the notes given which is an epitome of a virtue and a vice: by building well they will
become good builders, and bad builders by building badly. In this example, the difference of virtue and vice is
evident. If a person is doing good deeds or act morally good, accordance with virtue, they are perceived as a
good person and if they act morally wrong, accordance in vices, they are perceived as bad person. Character
refers to what a person is, and not what a person appears to be.

In forming a character, virtues and vices has a special in role and there are certain conditions that must be
observed. These conditions are will, choice, freedom, conscience, and happiness. Will of a person is responsible
for selecting a desire among various desire present at the moment of decision. Choice or Moral choice is
responsible to a person committing to act according to what she believe is right and good. Freedom is not doing
what a person wanted to do but the capacity of doing good deeds. I would also like to consider conscience
which is present at the heart of the person, enjoins him at the appropriate moment to do good deeds and to avoid
evil. Our conscience judges particular choice, approving what is good and denouncing those that are evil. I
included happiness for the reason that it is the highest good and the end at which all our activities ultimately
aim. Character formation, that is, becoming a good person, is essential to the good life.

LESSON 5 ASSIGNMENT BIN

Choose 3 among the enumerated general weaknesses of the Filipinos. One by one offer solutions how can these
weaknesses be turned into strengths. Be realistic with your suggested solutions. Give examples for each.

In the cartoon movie entitled “Inside Out”, I’ve learned that happiness comes after sadness. This idea is the
same as to our strengths grows out from our weaknesses. This means that we can create strengths out from our
weakness.

As a Filipino, myself, I can’t deny the fact that Filipinos possess not only positive traits which is our strengths
but also negative traits that turns out to be our weaknesses. However, these weaknesses can be turned into
strengths.

Kanya- Kanya Syndrome or Crab Mentality, Colonial Mentality, and Passivity and Lack of Initiative are some
of Filipinos’ weaknesses. Nonetheless, we can turn these weaknesses into strengths. Crab Mentality describes a
Filipino that pulls anyone down who achieve success greater than him/her. Crab mentality talks about being
competitive towards other people. Crab Mentality, a weakness of a Filipino, can be a strength too through being
competitive in a right way. For example, having crab mentality will help the Filipinos to be productive and
eventually will lead them to achieve their goals in life. If a person is competitive and afraid to lose, he/she will
do everything to be on the lead. Most Filipinos who have crab mentality are those in the business world. A
Filipino having crab mentality will likely to think and solve different problems. Colonial Mentality describes a
Filipino who lacks of patriotism and love of the Philippines. An example of a Filipino who has colonial
mentality is when he/she enjoyed foreign products than the products in the Philippines. Colonial mentality is
one of the weaknesses of a Filipino but can be turned into a strength. For example, a Filipina is using beauty
products made in other countries and master foreign language, this made the Filipina to have colonial mentality.
However, this can be a strength when the Filipina represents the Philippines through a beauty pageants just like
Miss Universe. The Filipina entertains colonial mentality in a good way, a way that will benefit the whole
county. Passivity and Lack of Initiative refers to Filipinos having strong reliance to others or being dependent to
others specifically the government. This specific weakness of every Filipino can be turned into a strength
especially when it comes to employment. For example, if Filipinos depend on the government for employment
this means that there are lots of Filipinos who don’t have a job or unemployed and, with this, they can make
solutions for employment. Filipinos being dependent to government will help the government to be aware of the
happenings to their people. In my own perspective, being dependent means there’s an awareness on issues.
Also, Filipinos can get some insights after they’ll receive something from the government.

If properly executed or well- thought, someone’s weakness can turn into something good. Having weaknesses
doesn’t mean they can’t improve. Actually, these weaknesses can help someone to grow because they already
know their weak points. To make weaknesses into strengths, some or Filipinos must have the right mindset, and
knows how to turn the table around. Filipinos should stick to virtue.

LESSON 5 ACTIVITY 2
What do you think about this?
Pedestrians. More fun in the Philippines.

Filipinos are remarkable among all other countries in the world because of their traits. We, Filipinos, are
liked by everyone most especially tourists because of the traits that we possess. However, at some point,
Filipinos also have these traits, negative traits, that are really annoying and very unlikeable. These negative
traits ruined the good image not only to the Filipinos but to the Philippines itself.
Filipinos are known not only because they are hospitable, respectful, optimistic, etc. but also Filipinos are
hard- headed. Filipinos have this trait which is they lack of initiative or they are passive in which they waited to
be reminded all the times where in fact everything is pretty obvious just like the picture above. There are laws
that are implemented and there are signs everywhere that stated NO JAYWALKING but Filipinos keep on
ignoring the laws and the signs until they are being caught by the traffic enforcers or policeman. When they are
being caught already they keep on saying that they don’t know anything about it in which, for me, a lame
excuse; it’s not valid at all because the laws, before implemented, they are being aired on televisions, radios,
newspapers and the officials even posted signs. There are Filipinos who really want to be reminded all the time.
Filipinos are not perfect just like what I’ve stated in the previous activity in this particular lesson but not all
the time we can use this as an excuse. The picture above shows one of the negative traits of a Filipino and this
negative trait will become a weakness. In the picture above, there’s a statement beside the word Pedestrian that
says “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” which is, for me, a sarcastic one. The negative traits of Filipinos or the
weaknesses will bring the fun down because everyone will be discouraged by what they see. We, Filipinos,
must get rid of those traits of that will pull us down and equip more of the positive traits or strengths together,
as one nation.

LESSON 6: QUIZ
What do you think is the reason of not doing what we know to be right and not avoiding what we know to be
evil? Discuss briefly?
There are many circumstances in our life that even though we already know what is right and what is evil we’re
still not doing what is right and avoid what is evil. Lying, gambling, back-stabbing, etc. are just some that we
already know that is bad but we can’t avoid such things instead we keep on doing it. What is the reason behind
all of these? Why can’t we avoid doing what is evil even though we already know what is right?

I, myself, won’t deny the fact that, at some point, even though I’m very much aware that what I’m doing is not
right I’m still doing it such as lying to my sisters and being greedy or being prideful. Based on my experiences,
my reasons of not doing what is right and avoid what is evil is because bad things can be a lot more fun and it
offers an easy way out. For example, back in the past, I used to do playing deaf when my parents called me to
do the household chores. Playing deaf is a bad habit but, back then, I thought it was fun hearing my parents
calling me for more than five times and it’s an easy way for me to avoid the household chores assigned to me.
People keep on doing what they think is the most convenient and easiest in most situation. We can’t avoid what
is bad and we ignore what is right because what is bad, at some point, brought us comfort and we will do
whatever it takes to reach this state or to feel comfort. There are times that we find doing what is right a hard
task most especially if we’re not used to do it.

Therefore, people seek for convenience in everything that they do may it good or evil. For me, doing what is
evil is not a bad thing because doing what is bad will give us a lesson and it comes with level of maturity.
Nonetheless, we must grow out from these evil doings. The moment we learned our lessons we must not do the
same thing again and start doing what is right. Everything has a purpose and, perhaps, doing what is bad will
help us grow as an adult, as human beings, and this will help us to focus on what is right only. We grow out of
lot of behaviours because we realize that the consequences aren’t worth the temporary fun. People must not
seek only what is the best but what is right.